Proactiv vs Curology: See in-depth Comparison

Introduction

Skin problems can be a major issue for those who are having them. It can be due to different reasons of diet a person is having, age, genes, daily schedule, etc. 

Having poor skin may result in the person becoming less confident in front of other people, thus affecting their work and social status in general. 

One of the most common skin problems that you may face is acne. 

Although there are many solutions to this skin problem, today, we are going to introduce you to two brands that are the frontrunners in fighting acne outbreaks, namely Proactiv and Curology. 

Not just that, we are going to compare the two brands for you, so that you can decide which product will suit you better.

Well, having acne is a common skin condition. It happens when hair follicles under your skin become clogged. 

Oil and dead skin cells clog the pores, and outbreaks of lesions (often called pimples or zits) can happen. Although acne is a common skin problem among teenagers, it affects people of all ages.

You may wonder, why and when there is a need for acne treatment. 

Remember, acne is a skin problem. The longer your skin will have acne, the more it will deteriorate its quality. 

So, you must try to prevent it at its earliest stage so that it does not spread and cause any further damage to your skin. 

Here are 7 science-backed reasons why early treatment seems to be your best option

1. You always get faster results from treatment.
2. Acne has a tendency to leave scars on your skin. Early treatment of this skin problem can definitely reduce your scars.
3. When an acne pimple, cyst, or nodule clears, it often seems to leave a dark stop. Dermatologists call this post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Treatment can prevent those spots from appearing.
4. Treatment prevents mild acne from becoming severe.
5. If you go for an early treatment, it decreases the likelihood that you might have to go for stronger medicines later on.
6. Acne can last for years, all throughout a person’s teenage life. Not just that, you can even get it as an adult. Early treatment can prevent the pain of going through that for all those years.
7. Acne can cause more than a breakout. Studies over the years have shown that an acne problem can also take a toll on one’s psyche. Why go through a trauma when you can go for an early treatment and then just avoid the rest?

Brand Introduction: Curology vs. Proactiv

Curology

So, the first brand that we are going to introduce to you today is Curology. Launched in 2014, the mission of this brand was to simplify skincare, which often left consumers frustrated as they searched for the best solution to their skin problems. 

Curology was founded by a licensed dermatologist from New Mexico, Dr. David Lortscher. It sought to make luxury skincare products accessible to everyone.

Proactiv

Proactiv on the other hand is a heavyweight when it comes to fighting acne. 

The brand markets itself as America’s number 1 acne brand, thus selling more products than every competitor in 2019.

Launched in 1995 by two dermatologists, Kathy Fields, and Katie Rodens, their goal was to provide fast and affordable acne treatments.

Now let us compare the basic details that we could gather from each brand:

Name	Curology	Proactiv
Year of the company founded	2014	1995
Amazon user reviews	Average 4.5/5 stars	Average 4.5/5 stars
User rating on their website	Average 4.3/5 stars	Average 3.4/5 stars
Made in	San Diego/St. Louis	El Segundo, CA

Curology vs Proactiv: The Comparison

After knowing a little about each brand, we would like to compare the two of them in detail so that it becomes easier for you to select one. 

Every person has a different skin type, therefore a product that may suit one person, may not another person having a totally different skin type. 

In this part, we will compare the different qualities of each product side to side, so that you can choose the one that will suit you better.

1) Effectiveness

The products of both of these brands are effective. Proactiv depends on a specific product for all users. 

Whereas, Curology depends on the knowledge of the assigned dermatologist and information provided by the users. 

But it has been observed that most people tend to stick to proactive as the Curology prescribed treatment by professionals is often too aggressive.  

2) Ingredients

Curology ingredients

The custom formulas combine three of the following ingredients, depending on what your skin needs:

• Tretinoin (a prescription retinoid)
• Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
• Azelaic acid (an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial)
• Zinc pyrithione (a fungus fighter)
• clindamycin (an antibiotic)
• tranexamic acid (a skin brightener)
• metronidazole (an antibiotic)

The brand now also offers a prescription dark spot corrector for melasma and hyperpigmentation, which follows the same format as the original custom cream and is made from a combination of three of the following:

• hydroquinone (a skin-lightening agent)
• hydrocortisone (to treat irritation from the hydroquinone)
• ascorbic acid (an antioxidant)
• kojic acid (a skin brightener)
• azelaic acid (an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial)

Proactiv ingredients

The active ingredients in Proactiv are:

• Benzoyl Peroxide
• Sulphur
• Glycolic acid
• Adapalene
• Salicylic acid

3) Vegan

Proactiv is not vegan as it contains gelatine, which is of animal origin. 

On the other hand, the customized skincare brand, Curology, uses cruelty-free and vegan-friendly ingredients in its products. Hence it is 100% vegan.

4) Price

The price of Proactiv varies depending on the system you choose. 

The original Proactiv Solution starts at $19.95 per month, while the prices for ProactivMD and Proactiv+ start at $24.95 a month. 

No matter what system you select, you will receive 3 products that will help you build a skincare routine.

Curology costing varies based on the number of products you purchase. If you only purchase the bottle containing your custom solution, pricing begins at $19.95 a month. 

If you select to purchase the full Curology set, you will be charged $59.90 every 60 days, which is equivalent to paying $29.95 per month.

Although the price difference between Proactiv and Curology isn’t dramatic, it’s clear that Proactiv is a more affordable option. This is especially true if you choose the original Proactiv solution. 

If you’re trying to find a cost-effective way to deal with your acne, Proactiv is your best choice.

5) Proactiv vs Curology Customer reviews

Curology customer reviews

“Curology truly changed my life. I have struggled with moderate to severe acne since I was young, and I have tried everything under the sun. Everything from drugstores, to luxury, other medicated products, and DIY “miracle workers “. Nothing worked and definitely not for more than a month or so. Curology is the first product I’ve ever used where I could see a different month to month not only in my acne but in the evenness of my skin tone and the overall health of my skin. I shamelessly recommend Curology to every single person who asks!!!! Thank you a million times!”

Hannah

“Curology is the best skincare I’ve ever used. it’s not something that you buy off the shelf, it’s made for you. they dig deep to find what works for you and I’m so grateful for them. thank you Curology for saving my skin!”

Addie M.

“I’ve been using Curology for about 2 months now, and I’m very pleased with the results so far. My formula has reduced the number of breakouts and the duration of pimples by a lot. I still get the occasional breakout but I feel like it heals faster with my formula.”

Darlene

Proactiv reviews

But since last 2 years, Proactiv shot its shop from India shores and since then it has become very difficult to procure it. The only respite is that it is available thru e-commerce channels like Amazon who help get this product delivered from outside India. Contrary to the earlier cost when it was available in India – it was relatively cheap but now it has become expensive ’cause of import duties / etc.

Amit

“I love Proactiv I’ve been using it since 2010 always been happy with the results. The 60 day supply dies last for 60 days. This is expensive than what I got it for when their India operations were on. Still happy that I got it here after a long time.”

Drishti Hembrol

3) Khushi Boken

“Really helped clear my skin. I’ve tried any and all products that claim to clear out acne/pimples, but this was the only thing that actually helped. Highly recommended!”

Although both the brands are loved by their customers, and they both have numerous positive reviews, after researching a bit we have come to notice that Curology has slightly greater 5-star reviews when compared to Proactive.

Proactiv vs Curology: Some Important Points

Now let’s compare some of the important points of each brand side to side:

Both brands have their pros and cons. If it’s your first time and you’re looking for something cheaper, then you should go for Proactiv as it is easily available, without the need for a prescription. 

But if you are looking for something specific, customizable, that will suit your skin in particular, then you should go for Curology.

Proactiv Vs Curology: The Standout features

This is where the big difference between Proactiv and Curology comes into play because Proactiv depends on a specific product for all users. Whereas, Curology depends on the knowledge of the assigned dermatologist and information provided by the users.

Thus, the treatment with Curology can change if the specialist deems it necessary.

So, in terms of how Curology fights acne, the essential factors come down to the specialist and the information they have to work with.

For many, this has been a great approach. However, a detailed questionnaire makes Proactiv a more convenient choice.

How much does this cost and where can I buy these?

Curology

If you only purchase the bottle containing your custom solution, pricing begins at $19.95 a month. If you select to purchase the full Curology set, you will be charged $59.90 every 60 days, which is equivalent to paying $29.95 per month. 

You can buy this from:

Since Curology is formulated just for you, their products are only available for purchase on their online store through Curology.com.

Proactiv

The original Proactiv Solution starts at $19.95 per month, while the prices for ProactivMD and Proactiv+ start at $24.95 a month.

You can buy this from:

1) Proactiv.com

2) Curology.com

3) Several offline stores (type your zip code in their official site to search for the nearest one)

The Verdict on Proactiv vs Curology

What Proactiv and Curology are doing is phenomenal. They are both offering an effective cure to counter your acne problem so that you can have beautiful glowing skin. 

Proactiv is perfect for those who haven’t done any acne treatment before. It has been there for many decades, and it has successfully solved problems for many. 

Moreover, no prescription is required, so trying it out is fairly easy.

On the other hand, the number of products that you can get for Curology is unbelievable! Not only can you treat your acne with its product, but wrinkles, tone, texture, and so much more. 

Adding to that, it is customizable. Thus it can help you to get all that your skin requires. Curology is therefore perfect for someone who is looking for a more tailored skincare supplier.

Although both of them are quite different in a few ways, I would suggest you try them out both so that you can decide which one suits you better!